Chances are that you have ridden a Bird electric scooter before and wondered if you could actually own one. Now it is possible to buy a bird electric scooter for yourself and not have to share it with other people. Many people who regularly ride rental scooters have come to the realization that owning an electric scooter is much more profitable and convenient. The Bird One electric scooter model is the obvious choice for so many people.
In this Bird One electric scooter review you will get a quick overview of the Bird One e-scooter, as well as the pros and cons. It is quite an expensive scooter for commuting but it does offer lots of value. If you are not willing to spend that much money then don't worry, there are cheaper alternatives out there.
Bird One Electric Scooter specs and features
Bird One Electric Scooter Review
Since the Bird One electric scooter has thrived in the rental market, proving that this stylish and reliable scooter is of very high quality. Every rental scooter has to be very reliable and be able to take a lot of abuse. The Bird One has proven itself time and time again in that department.
Speed and Range
The 300 Watt motor of the Bird One can reach a top speed of 18 mph or 29 km/h, which is slightly faster than the Xiaomi 1S for example. This is enough top speed for city commutes and there is need for going much faster than this.
Since the Bird One was developed to be a rental scooter it has a very respectable range of up to 20 miles. This again is slightly more than the new Xiaomi 1S. This is enough range to comfortable commute to work or school without having to worry about your battery running out.
The 12800 mAh battery can be recharged in 6 hours, which is the same as the Ninebot Segway Max and the Xiaomi 1S scooters.
Ride quality and brakes
The Bird One has 9-inch semi-pneumatic tires and no suspension. These large tires are largely puncture proof, which is really good news because changing flat tires is very annoying.
The downside is that there is no suspension and semi-pneumatic tires are not the best at absorbing the bumps on the road. Ride quality of the Bird One e-scooter is not as good when compared to the Apollo Light for example that has dual suspension. it is not a big issue if you mostly ride on smooth roads but on rougher roads it would be better to have a suspension.
The front regenerative brake and rear drum brake offer a dual braking system. But disc brakes would be a much better and more reliable option. The braking ability of the Bird One is decent but certainly not as good as scooter that have disc brakes.
Smart technology
The Bird One features advanced electronics, which includes Bluetooth, GSM and GPS connectivity, located in its stem. If you want a scooter that is connected then the Bird One certainly stands out in this area.
Of course you also get the Bird companion app, which offers complete control over your e-scooter. This app allows you to switch your scooter on or off, lock your scooter remotely, receive firmware updates, get notifications if your scooter as been tampered with. Many other electric scooters don't have this amount of technology and control over the scooter.
Build quality and durability
One thing you can be sure of is that the Bird electric scooter has been built to last. If you buy a bird electric scooter you can be sure it can take a fair bit of abuse. The Bird One has been built with 31 separate safety and quality certifications in mind.
The vehicle body has a 2 year warranty, which includes decklid, main body, front-wheel and hub motor assembly, front fork and neck assembly, rear fork assembly, handlebar, brake cable and charge port.
Other features of the Bird One scooter
The weight of the scooter is 17.5 kg, which is 5 kg more than the Xiaomi 1S scooter and little less than a kg heavier than the more powerful Apollo Light. If you are looking for a portable electric scooter than the Bird might not be the best choice.
Another downside of the Bird One is the IP-34 water resistance rating, which means it is protected from water sprays less than 60 degrees from vertical. So it can handle a little bit of rain but has not been designed to be ridden in the rain. If you are looking for a fully waterproof electric scooter then check out the Pure Air Pro or the 8Tev B12 Classic Electric Scooter.
The scooter has front and rear LED lights, which are a must have for any commuter scooter. It also has reflectors to increase visibility in low light conditions. The maximum rider weight limit is 100 kg, which could be higher but is again fairly standard for a commuter scooter.
It does not have foldable handlebars which makes decreases its portability a bit but it does have built-in mudguards and detachable bell.
Bird One Pros and Cons
Should You Buy a Bird Electric Scooter?
Pros
Cons
Conclusion:
The Bird One has many things going for it, such as long range, reliability, durability, app connectivity and built-in technology. But it also has some flaws, such as poor ride quality due to lack of suspension, heavier than some rivals, doesn't have cruise control etc. The price is also somewhat expensive. It does not have a folding mechanism, which is a real issue if you are looking for a portable scooter.
If you have ridden the Bird One as a rental scooter and really like it then it is certainly worth buying. But there are also other alternatives out there that might be more suitable for you.
The electric scooter marketplace is getting more competitive, which means there are more scooter to choose from.
